William Joseph Wright

He was gazetted in 1915 in the 9th Service Battalion, Leicester Regiment having attended Nottingham University College OTC. He is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery (grave ref I.A.95)

Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Until we know even as we are known' Inscription on Uttley family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery: [George and Mary Uttley] 'Also the beloved son-in-law Lieut William J Wright, 9th Leicestershire Regt. who fell in action in France May 17th 1916, aged 26 years. Buried at Bienvillers. Until the day break.'Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 18 October 1915: ‘Wright-Uttley On October 16th at Castle-gate Congregational Church, by the Rev. AR Henderson, MA, William Joseph, Lieutenant, the Leicestershire Regiment, elder son of Mr and Mrs Edwin Wright, to Eveline, younger daughter of the late George and Mrs Mary Uttley, both of this city.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Mundella Magazine, Christmas 1918, ROH: 'Wright, William 2nd Lieut, Leics.'Name included in the Castle Gate Congregational Church ROH printed in January 1917: 2nd-Lieut WJ Wright, 9th Leicester Reg (Nottinghamshire Archives ref DD2325/10)Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', April 1915: 'Heartiest congratulations to 'Billy' Wright, of the Wholesale Cashier's Department. He received special permission to attend half-time at the Nottingham University College Officers' Training Corps about six weeks ago, and is now, as a result, the proud possessor of a commission in His Majesty's Army. He is already gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Service Battalion of the Leicester Regiment but has been called upon to put in a further course of training at Edinburgh before joining the Regiment.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38)Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, November 1915, ‘By the Way’: ’The wedding bells have rung out during the month for Miss E Uttley of the Shares Department, whose marriage to Second Lieut. Wright was solemnised at Castle Gate Congregational Church, Nottingham, on October 16th. Mr Wright was engaged in the Wholesale Cashier’s Dept, at Boots up to the time of his enlistment.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38)Nottingham Evening Post, 22 May 1916: ‘Killed in action. Lieutenant WJ Wright. News has been received in Nottingham that Second-Lieutenant Wm. Joseph Wright, of the Leicestershire Regiment, has been killed in action. He was the son of Mr Edwin Wright, of 137 Sneinton-boulevard, and was 25 years of age. He was educated at Mundella Secondary School and the University College, and was a member of the College Officers’ Training Corps. He was gazetted to the Leicestershire Regiment in February, 1915, and had been at the front for some time. He was well known in Nottingham athletic circles, being a playing member, and also secretary for some seasons, of the Boots Athletic Hockey Club, and a player with the South Nottingham hockey Club, whilst he was also actively associated with the Union Rowing Club. He was a runner of some distinction, and carried off numerous prizes at local meetings at distances varying from 200 yards to a quarter of a mile, while he represented the county at hockey. At the last Union Rowing Club Regatta he stroked the winning crew in the tub fours. He was also the holder of silver and gold medals for quarter and half mile swimming.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 May 1916: ‘Wright. Killed in action, May 18th, WJ Wright, Lieutenant, Leicestershire Regiment. Faithful to his God and his country. From his sorrowing wife.’ Notice also published on 23 May 1916 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 May 1916: ‘Wright. Killed in action, May 18th, WJ (Billie) Wright. Lieutenant, Leicestershire regiment, dearly loved eldest son of Edwin and Mary Wright, 137, Sneinton-boulevard. He made the great sacrifice. From mother, dad, Bert, Nellie.’ Notice also published on 23 May 1916. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Article published 29th May 1916 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- A memorial service was held at the Castle Gate Congregational Church on 28th May 1916 in remembrance of Second Lieutenant William James Wright, 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. [1]“LATE LIEUT. W. J. WRIGHT.“Memorial Service to Gallant Nottm. Officer. “Evidence of the esteem in which Second-Lieutenant William J. Wright was held by the officers, workers, and congregation of the Castle-gate Congregational Church was forthcoming last evening [28th May 1916] in the large number of people who attended a memorial service held at that place of worship.“Lieutenant Wright was the elder of the two soldier sons of Mr. Edwin Wright, of Sneinton-boulevard. Practically from boyhood he had been associated with the Sunday School and for some years he was a teacher. Lieutenant Wright's interest went beyond the ordinary bounds of Sunday school work. A lover of sport, and a fine athlete himself, he interested himself in the pastimes pursued by the members of his class, and endeared himself to all.“The Rev. A. R. Henderson, who preached from the words, “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends,” paid a warm tribute to Lieutenant Wright's fine qualities. In his remarks, the minister explained how the brave officer fell. Volunteering with his platoon to carry out certain work in front of the trenches he became a victim to a bullet amongst the men who he had so gallantly led.“Mr. Henderson spoke of Lieutenant Wright's work in the Sunday school, his many activities, his success in business, his true sportsmanship and his great courage.“The special music chosen for the occasion included the anthem, “O Saviour Friend,” from Handel's Largo.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918